Frostbite

Chapter 9: Round 1. FIGHT!

- In the Student Lobby -

There was a TV displaying the results. It seemed like most of Class B had actually been eliminated, which shouldn't be too surprising considering my team eliminated half of them ourselves.

However, Jiro was not the only one to get eliminated from my team. Tokoyami had also gotten caught up in a skirmish with Bakugo, who seemed to act like his natural kryptonite. With that, my team had a 50% survival rate. Absolutely unacceptable as the leader.

It was clear to see though: my plan for Midoriya had worked. Neither he nor Mei were taken down. They were both off in one corner, feeding off each other's adrenaline to celebrate.

Speaking of feeding, the festival had been officially paused after the last event, so that the students could return to the cafeteria and eat. The audience was all encouraged to stretch their legs and check out the various food, shop, and presentation stalls that had been set up. It seemed the business students were quite busy in their own way during the festival, competing over who could collect the most contact info, or who could sell the most food.

Between the lackluster performance in the last round and my physical exhaustion, I didn't have much appetite.

"Time to celebrate!" Jenna shouted, jumping onto my shoulders from behind.

"That's kind of inconsiderate, don't you think?" I asked, looking up at the blonde with no changes in my facial expression.

She scowled somewhat and turned her head to look behind us, still using me like a balance beam. "What do you both think?"

I turned, maintaining the delicate balance instead of expending the energy necessary to drop her without toppling us both. Standing there were Jiro and Tokoyami, both seeming less depressed than I had thought they would be.

Tokoyami spoke first: "I think the crowd responded quite well to my display of power. Of course, I wish I could continue competing. But, it's quite evident that those who succeeded would have significant advantages over me in the final battles."

I'm not so sure that I entirely agree with his assessment. Given the people who passed, it seems only Kaminari, Todoroki, and Bakugo would present a difficult fight. I'm not all too sure if my quirk even works on Dark Shadow or not. So, he could have fairly easily earned a medal.

Jiro began speaking and brought my thoughts to a halt.

"There's no way I'd have made it through that last game if it weren't for you." She said, blushing when our eyes met briefly. "Instead I almost made it to the final event. Placing 18th means that I'm in the top 10% of all first years, after all."

She had a good point. Anyone who is eliminated in the first round of the fights to come would effectively be tied for 16th. But still, I missed the chance to protect her when it arose.

"I just want you two to know..." I shifted anxiously, abruptly reminded of the weight I was holding.

"Will you get down already?!" I yelled, impatiently.

"Party pooper." Jenna pouted, dismounting cleanly.

"Ugh... As I was saying-" I started again.

"There's no need." Jiro cut me off.

"Yes. Your sympathies are best saved for those who have yet to face you." Tokoyami added, quite poetically.

I deflated somewhat, with a deep sigh. "Then at least let me buy you lunch?"

The defeated members of my team nodded with subtle smiles, but the most energetic response came from my German companion.

"Hehe! I'm getting ice cream!" she cheered.